Congratulations to Kamau Rashid, Ph.D., NLU Assistant Professor of Educational Foundations and Inquiry, for being awarded a prestigious Fulbright scholarship.

Rashid plans to spend his Fulbright year, 2015-2016, in Ghana at the University of Education, Winneba. He’ll focus his scholarship on researching W.E.B. DuBois, the American sociologist and activist (1868-1963) who moved to Ghana in 1961, at age 93, and Kwame Nkrumah, a close friend of DuBois’ who became the first president of Ghana when it gained independence from British colonization in 1957.

The 25 universities will focus on roughly 100 intro courses in up to 30 subject areas that are offered either at a low cost or for free, NationSwell reported. It’s already received the stamp of approval from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, along with a $1.89 million grant.

The fate of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is in the hands of our congressmen. Members of the House of Representatives will have to decide whether or not to renew the legislation, and what form that legislation will take. A scheduled vote on Friday, Feb. 27 was postponed, but Congress will have to vote soon.

There are many educators, including professors and researchers at National Louis University, who are hoping to influence our lawmakers as they consider NCLB’s future. Continue reading »

“I know what it is like to be listened to for an extended session and with intense curiosity,” Larson wrote in the Oxford University Press blog. ” I believe everyone deserves a chance to be heard that way.”

Thus Larson, an assistant professor of education in National Louis University’s National College of Education, has started his own blog, American Stories Continuum, to showcase the oral history interviews he conducts–about 200 so far. Continue reading »

History isn’t shaped only by wars and political leaders. It’s also about the choices individuals make to change life for themselves and their families.

Each of us, by choosing to get a bachelor’s or advanced degree and pursue a career in our chosen field, is staking a claim for a life we want. We to set higher possibilities for our children’s generation. And taken together, we are a force that shapes societies, cities and economies.

In honor of Black History Month, we asked two African-American National Louis University alumnae to reflect on how the past and present, and their experiences at NLU, shaped their lives and those of their families. Continue reading »

Autism Speaks, an advocacy organization for people with autism, recently marked its 10th anniversary by asking its social media followers to comment on what the organization has done in its decade of existence.

While it got some praise, according to BuzzFeed News, it largely got backlash for its statements to parents of autistic children that autism is a severe condition that can cause bankruptcy, cause parents’ marriages to fail and “can rob you of your children and your dreams.” Continue reading »

NLU alum Veretta Rice Yancey, whom a colleague described as having “a passion for social justice and serving youth,” has been elected president of the DuPage County Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. It serves DuPage, Kane, Will and Kendall Counties, according to the Naperville Sun.

Yancey, a Naperville resident, got her bachelor’s degree from North Central College and her master’s degree in adult education from National Louis University. Continue reading »

National Louis University student veterans and staff attended the Student Veterans Association conference with SVA CEO D. Wayne Robinson in San Antonio, Texas, in January.

National Louis University student veterans and staff attended the Student Veterans Association conference in San Antonio, Texas, in January.

The entire delegation of student veterans from Illinois posed for a photo during the Student Veterans Association conference in San Antonio, Texas, in January.

Written by Francesca Weaver-Chaney and Anne Gunderson

More than 1,200 student veterans, including some from NLU, watched with anticipation as Vice President Joe Biden approached a conference podium in San Antonio, Texas, to speak.

“You are the finest group of warriors the world has ever known,” he told them.

The audience of students previously and currently serving in the five branches of the military stood to applaud Biden. Many said afterward they had once again gained pride in being a part of this nation’s military. Continue reading »

Everywhere you look, there’s a flyer trying to catch your attention, a text with the latest news, and an email asking you stop by an event. You’re a busy student, so why should you stop and take notice of the events and activities on campus?

Being a college student is such a special opportunity. Not only are you a sponge for new information, but are also gazing dreamily towards your professional future. No matter your age, being a student is exciting as you work hard and diligently towards a more knowledgeable and skilled you.

Thinking back to my college experience as a young undergrad, often the first memories that come to mind are the interesting people I met and the experiences I had. College is not only a place where you can build your skills and learn the content necessary to advance yourself professionally, it’s a place where you can experience pride. Pride in your achievements, pride in the opportunities to challenge yourself to experience new things, pride in the educational home you’ve chosen for yourself.

While I had a traditional college experience of living in the dorm, working on campus as an orientation leader, and changing my major half a dozen times I look back with strong emotions of pride. When I sit here writing this blog, I’m reflecting on a few of the fondest and proudest memories:

Being recognized for outstanding female leadership on campus

Matt, one of my closest friends started out as my RA

Serving as a campus sexual assault advocate

Learning the art of walking backwards while giving campus tours

Volunteering at a local women’s shelter

You may not realize it today, but the experiences you’re having will become the emotions you will experience when you reflect on your time here. Some of the examples I shared are silly, but they demonstrate just how each interaction and each experience is an opportunity.

I challenge you to think about how you’ll look back on your time at NLU. There are many ways you can get involved. Join or start a student organization, become a Safe Zone ally, attend professional development workshops, participate in the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success, join us for a family friendly event, or volunteer on campus.

Do not miss out on the opportunities you have today to meet new people and experience new things, all in a journey of developing a greater you. After all, you’re already on that path; why not put a little icing on the cake?